Dr. Silvia Penuela
Associate Professor
Ph.D. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, U.S.A.
B.Sc. Universidad de Los Andes, Bogota, Colombia.
Office: Medical Sciences Building M426, Lab: M423
Phone: 519-661-2111 Ext 84735, 84445
Email: spenuela@uwo.ca
Visit: http://www.schulich.uwo.ca/penuelalab/
Research Interests:
Our lab is interested in the study of a novel family of channel-forming proteins, called Pannexins (Panx1, Panx2 and Panx3) that were discovered in the last decade based on their similarity to the invertebrate innexins. Although they were originally thought to be another family of gap junction proteins, we have established that their primary function is to form single membrane channels for release and uptake of ions and large molecules, such as ATP, involved in paracrine signaling. Pannexins are very important for cellular communication and are involved in early developmental events in many systems, including skin, cartilage, bone, vasculature and central nervous system, where they regulate proliferation and differentiation of different cell types. However, when expressed in adult tissues, pannexins can also have detrimental effects, for instance, facilitating cell death under ischemic conditions and malignant transformation in melanomas.
Main Research Areas:
- Biochemistry and cell biology of pannexins. Post-translational modifications and interacting proteins that regulate channel function
- Physiological role of pannexin channels in mammalian skin development, aging and wound healing
- The role of pannexins in fat metabolism and obesity
- Pannexin dysregulation in melanoma and other skin cancers
Publications:
For publications, please visit Dr. Penuela's Google Scholar page.
